North Beach Provincial Park Management Planning and Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park Management Planning

This notice was originally posted in the old Environmental Registry under number PB04E6015.

Description of Policy

Park management plans are required for North Beach and Lake on the Mountain Provincial Parks to determine policy for the protection, planning, development, management and operation of the parks. The management plans will be developed recognizing the significance of North Beach and Lake on the Mountain Provincial Parks as protected areas within the Ontario Provincial Park system, but will also ensure that the relationship of the parks to the surrounding area is properly considered. The plan is a dynamic tool, looking forward for a 20-year period, with review as necessary.

The terms of reference cover a consolidated planning process for North Beach and Lake on the Mountain Provincial Parks. These parks share a common theme in that they are both classed as recreation parks that provide day use facilities to park visitors. A park management plan will be produced for each of the two parks.

North Beach Provincial Park was regulated in 1965 as an 89.4 hectare recreation class park. North Beach is part of a biologically significant system of baymouth sandbars that includes North Beach, Pleasant Beach, and Huycks Beach. The park is located in Prince Edward County, on the shores of Lake Ontario. The park provides excellent swimming opportunities on a 1200 metre long sand dune.

Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park was regulated in 1957 as a 104 hectare recreation class park. Lake on the Mountain sits on the crest of a slope 60 metres above the Bay of Quinte and the community of Glenora in Prince Edward County. The lake was formed by a collapsed doline (large sinkhole), and is of significant geological interest. The lake has no apparent inflow, and it is believed to be replenished by ground water flow from the surrounding wetlands. The lake also has high cultural significance for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Purpose of Policy

To protect North Beach and Lake on the Mountain Provincial Parks' outstanding natural and cultural heritage, and guide their use, development, management and operation for a 20-year period.

Other Information

Management planning will be done in four stages, with each stage providing an opportunity for public and First Nations review. The first stage included the Invitation to Participate and the opportunity to Inspect the Approved Terms of Reference. The second, or current, stage includes an opportunity for review of the background information file and inspection of the amended Terms of Reference. The background information file is available for public review at the Ontario Parks, South Eastern Zone office and at Sandbanks Provincial Park.

The Terms of Reference are being amended to make the planning process more efficient. Since there were very few management options identified to warrant a separate document and planning stage, it was combined with the Background Information stage to allow for more meaningful consultation. The next stage of planning is the preparation and public review of the Preliminary Park Management Plan. There will be at least two more opportunities for public involvement at the preliminary plan stage and inspection of the final plan. This change will allow us to make more cost-effective use of public consultation opportunities and will ensure that management direction is in place in a more timely manner.

The web links listed below lead to additional information relating to the parks and the management planning process.

Public Consultation

This proposal was posted for a 47 day public review and comment period starting October 18, 2006. Comments were to be received by December 04, 2006.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Other Public Consultation Opportunities

Responses to the Invitation to Participate have been used to develop a mailing list of individuals, groups and businesses who wish to be involved in the management planning process.

Direct mailing to a mandatory contact list will ensure that provincial stakeholders, government organizations, and First Nations will be included in the process. Persons not included in this initial mailing who wish to be involved in the process may have their names added to the mailing list by contacting the Project Lead at the address below. Advertisements will be placed in regional print media, and copies of public notices will be placed on the Ontario Parks homepage on the Internet.

The following provide additional opportunities for the public to participate in the planning process:

• Review of Preliminary Park Management Plans - Summer 2007
• Inspection of the Approved Park Management Plans - Winter 2007